By C Ramachandraiah
The author is a Professor of Geography, Centre for Economic and Social Studies, Hyderabad.
crchandraiah@gmail.com

Of late, flooding in urban areas has increased due to changes in land use and recurrent extreme event episodes. Although advances in forecasting and relief operations have minimised the loss of lives, yet the damage to property continues to be severe.

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Urban flooding is a rising phenomenon in recent times. Whether coastal or inland, flooding in an urban centre can cause grave damage owing to the high population density involved. Moreover, the capacity of Indian cities to withstand heavy rains has also weakened owing to land use changes and interference with natural watersheds. Thus, notwithstanding the improved accuracy of forecasts and communications, as also the administrative efficiency in tackling floods, cities have ended up becoming more vulnerable to floods. The unprecedented...